Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (foot) was unable to get back on the practice field Wednesday.  He was believed to be targeting a Week 14 return, but that doesn't seem likely now.  Look for TE John Carlson to get another start against the Ravens this weekend.  He's averaged 4.8 catches and 66 yards in 4 games since Rudolph went down.

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reports that Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken foot suffered in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys.  Glazer adds that it's not a Lisfranc injury.  Still, even the short end of that timetable knocks Rudolph out through Week 13.  He'd be tough to trust in the fantasy playoffs after that, especially with games against the Ravens, Eagles and Bengals.  Rudolph can be dropped in most fantasy leagues.  John Carlson figures to step in as Minnesota's primary pass-catching TE but isn't worth an add.  Rudolph was averaging just 3.8 catches and 39 yards per game.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph was in a walking boot after Sunday's loss to the Cowboys.  He didn't return to the game after having his left foot rolled up underneath him in the 3rd quarter.  X-rays came back negative, but a sprain could cost him multiple weeks.  Check back tomorrow for an update.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph suffered a left foot injury on an impressive TD catch-and-run in the 3^rd quarter of Sunday’s game.  The foot got rolled up under him, and trainers appeared to be working on his big toe.  Rudolph was hobbling around on the sidelines and is considered questionable to return.

As expected, Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (shoulder) is active for today's game against the Packers.  He practiced on Thursday and Friday, so the shoulder shouldn't be an issue.  Rudolph is a low-end TE1 for fantasy squads today.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph put in a full practice on Friday and is probable for this weekend's game against the Packers. He suffered a concussion and a sprained shoulder last week, but neither will be an issue on Sunday. With TDs in 2 straight outings, Rudolph is a viable fantasy starter.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (shoulder) returned to a full practice on Thursday.  He's good to go for this weekend's game against the Packers.  Consider Rudolph a low-end TE1 option for that one.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph has been cleared from last week's concussion.  But he sat out Wednesday's practice with a shoulder injury.  No word yet on the severity, but Rudolph should be considered questionable for this weekend's game against the Packers.  Check back tomorrow for another update.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph has been medically cleared from last week's concussion.  Barring a setback, he'll play against the Packers on Sunday.  With 12 catches, 119 yards, and 2 scores over his past 2 games, Rudolph is once again a solid starting option for fantasy squads.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph left in the 2nd half of Sunday's game and is being evaluated for a concussion.  We'll pass along an update when we get one.

You might not know it, but TE Kyle Rudolph is still part of the Vikings' passing game.  So says HC Leslie Frazier.  “We do want him included in our pass game,” Frazier said Monday. “We had some things set up for him [last week], it didn’t happen. Partially because of coverage, partially sometimes because of the rush, and sometimes we just didn’t find him. We want him involved. We have to figure out a way to get him involved.”  Rudolph hauled in 26 balls for 225 yards and 5 scores in his first 6 games.  Over the last 3, he has just 2 grabs for 17 yards.  And that includes 2 goose eggs.  Rudolph has averaged just 2 targets per game during the cold streak, compared to 6.5 in his first 6 games.  The upside Rudolph displayed early on makes him worth rostering in fantasy.  But he should be on your bench until Minnesota starts getting him the ball again.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (thigh) is active for today’s matchup with Detroit. The red zone monster should be near 100% to face a Lions D that’s struggled to slow down opposing TEs.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (quad) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Lions.  His practice reps were limited early in the week, but he put in a full workout on Friday.  He's good to go for this weekend's plus matchup.

After sitting out on Wednesday, Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (thigh) returned to a limited practice on Thursday.  We've heard nothing to suggest he's in any danger of missing this weekend's game against the Lions.  Check back tomorrow for another update, but owners can go ahead and pencil Rudolph into fantasy lineups.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph was held out of Wednesday's practice with a leg injury.  He appeared to make it out of Week 3 healthy, so he's likely just getting a day off here.  We're fully expecting Rudolph to play against the Lions on Sunday.  We'll have another update tomorrow.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph suffered a severe hamstring injury at Notre Dame back in 2010 that required surgery.  He's just now feeling like he's back to 100%.  "It didn't really start coming back until late last season," Rudolph said. "There were a few times, late, when I was able to run past a linebacker. Then, to have that time off in the winter to train and continue to work on that? Now I feel I'm all the way back. It's been two years, almost exactly two years, since the injury."  Rudolph was more effective down the stretch last season, scoring 3 times in his final 7 games.  And observers have noted that he looks faster in practice this summer.  Rudolph has worked on his route-running and explosion in and out of breaks and seems primed for a breakout campaign.

Vikings QB Christian Ponder believes TE Kyle Rudolph is in for a big 2012 season.  "He looks really good," Ponder said of Rudolph. "He's so athletic. He's such a big target. He's got unbelievable hands. He's a guy I feel real comfortable with. He's going to make a lot of plays this year. When he catches the ball he just plucks it out of the air. It's crazy."  Rudolph got off to a slow start last season but tallied 15 catches, 116 yards, and 3 scores in his final 7 games.  Minnesota's signing of free-agent TE John Carlson took some of the shine off Rudolph, but he's still worth targeting as a fantasy backup with upside.

According to the Sporting News' Mark Craig, "no player has had a better camp" than rookie TE Kyle Rudolph.  "He’s a smooth route runner with exceptional hands," Craig writes.  Visanthe Shiancoe will open the season as Minnesota's starting TE, but we're betting on Rudolph finishing the year with better numbers.  He's a nice late-round flier.

Larry Fitzgerald is a big fan of Vikings rookie TE Kyle Rudolph. The two have been working out together over the past few weeks at Fitz’s camp. "He's 270 pounds and he's 6-foot-7," Fitzgerald said of Rudolph. "He can run. He can move and get out of his breaks. He's got great hands. He can hold the edge when he needs to block. I was teasing him already -- I call him (former New York Giants star) Mark Bavaro reincarnated. He's going to be special like that, I think, and I'm excited to see his progression." Rudolph has the size and skill-set to dominate at the NFL level. The presence of TE Visanthe Shiancoe limits his upside in 2011, but Rudolph is a dynamite dynasty league prospect.

Vikings 2nd-round rookie TE Kyle Rudolph needs to improve his blocking ability in order to become a 3-down TE at the NFL level.  "He needs some blocking development from inline positions," one AFC personnel director said.  "He needs to get a little bit stronger."  But that same scout believes Rudolph has the size and talent to progress in that area.  "You've got to remember now, this kid's a true junior and he missed a lot of time here with this hamstring.  So, the ceiling and the upside factor is pretty high on him."  Rudolph will open the 2011 season #2 on the depth chart behind Visanthe Shiancoe.  But we're expecting him to take over the lead role by the end of the year.